I just picked up a savage 111 30-06 lefty a week ago or so but I want to make this an extremely accurate gun at 100 to 200 yards. It came with the Nikon prostaff 3-9x40 bdc. I'm over thirty and had a gun in my hand since I have been 6(first gun was a 20 gauge, my dad didn't mess around). I'm a confident shooter but I want a setup that is made to drive in nails around the 150 mark. I will use it mostly for hunting but target once in a while too. Just want some ideas from people with experience in the aftermarket world. I have had 2 700's right handed(yes I know, I shoot lefty but got use to my 11-87 and stuck with right handed models) and didn't care for them. Anything like trigger adjustments(has the accutrigger) or whatever would be appreciated
- Thread starter Jimmybobby
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Re: Basic questions for the advanced shooters
I would think at no more distance than that distance.......practice, practice, practice.
I would think at no more distance than that distance.......practice, practice, practice.
Re: Basic questions for the advanced shooters
I usually only shoot about 25 to 50 rounds a week but I haven't gotten a chance to shoot it but just wanted to see if there where any ideas to tighten up the group for the occasional target shooting days. Plus I'm new with the whole trigger poundage thing. Just shot what I had and never really messed with it but the whole adjustable poundage thing has me intrigued. I know I'll be more than close to take down a deer but I like to show off every once in awhile like most people. I used to plink birds at 40 yards open sights with my 700(FYI my parents live and make money off of their gardens so unwelcome visitors where taken care of, didn't shoot to just shoot)
I usually only shoot about 25 to 50 rounds a week but I haven't gotten a chance to shoot it but just wanted to see if there where any ideas to tighten up the group for the occasional target shooting days. Plus I'm new with the whole trigger poundage thing. Just shot what I had and never really messed with it but the whole adjustable poundage thing has me intrigued. I know I'll be more than close to take down a deer but I like to show off every once in awhile like most people. I used to plink birds at 40 yards open sights with my 700(FYI my parents live and make money off of their gardens so unwelcome visitors where taken care of, didn't shoot to just shoot)
Re: Basic questions for the advanced shooters
Here are my suggestions to shooters getting into precision rifle.
Start back at the basics and work your way up. Learn to use a good rest; either sandbags, or a bipod and rear bag. Don't touch the lead sled, strap-your-rifle-down gadgets. Also, none of us are immune to this, especially me, but try not to get into the mindset of upgrading your equipment everytime you aren't satisfied with its performance. It's probably not the equipment's fault. Find a good instructor or mentor, if possible. And of course, PRACTICE!
Here are my suggestions to shooters getting into precision rifle.
Start back at the basics and work your way up. Learn to use a good rest; either sandbags, or a bipod and rear bag. Don't touch the lead sled, strap-your-rifle-down gadgets. Also, none of us are immune to this, especially me, but try not to get into the mindset of upgrading your equipment everytime you aren't satisfied with its performance. It's probably not the equipment's fault. Find a good instructor or mentor, if possible. And of course, PRACTICE!
Re: Basic questions for the advanced shooters
As this is your hunting gun I would recomend tuning the trigger down to a proverbial 'hair trigger'. I have never touched my accutrigger as it came from the factory and it is quite light and has a very nice clean break. As far as upgrades you could look at doing to the rifle you could potentially look at a new stock for it. You can also look into new optics although for now a basic nikon should be enough to shoot well. Also if you really want it to perform you are going to need to take the time to either develope a load through reloading or put lots of diffrent factory ammos through it until you find one that performs well for you.
As this is your hunting gun I would recomend tuning the trigger down to a proverbial 'hair trigger'. I have never touched my accutrigger as it came from the factory and it is quite light and has a very nice clean break. As far as upgrades you could look at doing to the rifle you could potentially look at a new stock for it. You can also look into new optics although for now a basic nikon should be enough to shoot well. Also if you really want it to perform you are going to need to take the time to either develope a load through reloading or put lots of diffrent factory ammos through it until you find one that performs well for you.
Re: Basic questions for the advanced shooters
I have never blamed my gun or equipment for a bad placed shot. I do practice but I have never modded a rifle for better accuracy. I just went with it. My 11-87 Sps has been modded a lot but it's because I used the hell out of it and everything I did was to add to the accuracy and performance of it which is what I want to do with my rifle. I knew from the moments pulled the gun up at the gun shop that is was a perfect fit which is why I want it to be perfect . But I want it t be smooth and perfect shooting every time. And I know 90% of that is the user but the gun and it's equivelnt play a role
I have never blamed my gun or equipment for a bad placed shot. I do practice but I have never modded a rifle for better accuracy. I just went with it. My 11-87 Sps has been modded a lot but it's because I used the hell out of it and everything I did was to add to the accuracy and performance of it which is what I want to do with my rifle. I knew from the moments pulled the gun up at the gun shop that is was a perfect fit which is why I want it to be perfect . But I want it t be smooth and perfect shooting every time. And I know 90% of that is the user but the gun and it's equivelnt play a role
Re: Basic questions for the advanced shooters
Sorry for the horrible spelling and missed words. Not sure what went on there. And yes I know all about the ammo selection but thanks. These are the little questions I want answered like what difference would a new stock make and things like that. Like I said I'm new to this. Ask me a question about 11-87's and I'm good but all the other stuff blows my mind
Sorry for the horrible spelling and missed words. Not sure what went on there. And yes I know all about the ammo selection but thanks. These are the little questions I want answered like what difference would a new stock make and things like that. Like I said I'm new to this. Ask me a question about 11-87's and I'm good but all the other stuff blows my mind
Re: Basic questions for the advanced shooters
Okay, so I think see what you're asking, now. Let me try again.
A new stock is great, especially if you're using a synthetic stock right now. As for stock choice, look into Bell and Carlson. They have lighter weight hunting stocks, as well as heavier target stocks. Choate also makes a good stock for Savages, but from what I've heard, they weigh much more than most. Other stocks are going to cost much, much more. Manners and McMillan are both highly regarded, but they'll both cost you.
If you have a wood or laminate stock on that 111, you may want to try glass bedding it before replacing it. Read the thread in the Gunsmithing section for info.
Adjust the trigger lower, if you want. I like my triggers around 3lbs. Any lighter, and it gets difficult for me to shoot well.
If you aren't getting a good cheek weld with your current scope, make sure you get a cheek pad or something to compensate. It makes more difference than you'd think.
I hope this helps a bit.
Okay, so I think see what you're asking, now. Let me try again.
A new stock is great, especially if you're using a synthetic stock right now. As for stock choice, look into Bell and Carlson. They have lighter weight hunting stocks, as well as heavier target stocks. Choate also makes a good stock for Savages, but from what I've heard, they weigh much more than most. Other stocks are going to cost much, much more. Manners and McMillan are both highly regarded, but they'll both cost you.
If you have a wood or laminate stock on that 111, you may want to try glass bedding it before replacing it. Read the thread in the Gunsmithing section for info.
Adjust the trigger lower, if you want. I like my triggers around 3lbs. Any lighter, and it gets difficult for me to shoot well.
If you aren't getting a good cheek weld with your current scope, make sure you get a cheek pad or something to compensate. It makes more difference than you'd think.
I hope this helps a bit.
Re: Basic questions for the advanced shooters
Practice practice practice in all honesty. That will give you the biggest improvement in your shooting. Ive seen outstanding shooters do amazing things with junk guns, and Ive seen $6000 custom rifles in the hands of morons produce horrible groups.
If your looking for things to do to the gun itself, id suggest the following:
A match grade barrell (Kreiger, Bartlein, Brux, Broughton, etc...)
Have the barrel chambered by a REPUTABLE gunsmith
True up the action
Start handloading ASAP. Matching the ammo to the gun and greatly improve performance.
Start with these, and practice.
Practice practice practice in all honesty. That will give you the biggest improvement in your shooting. Ive seen outstanding shooters do amazing things with junk guns, and Ive seen $6000 custom rifles in the hands of morons produce horrible groups.
If your looking for things to do to the gun itself, id suggest the following:
A match grade barrell (Kreiger, Bartlein, Brux, Broughton, etc...)
Have the barrel chambered by a REPUTABLE gunsmith
True up the action
Start handloading ASAP. Matching the ammo to the gun and greatly improve performance.
Start with these, and practice.
Re: Basic questions for the advanced shooters
What sort of accuracy are you wanting to get out of the "system"?
What sort of accuracy are you wanting to get out of the "system"?
Re: Basic questions for the advanced shooters
Subscribe to the on-line training.
You be amazed at what you don't know about precision rifle shooting.
Subscribe to the on-line training.
You be amazed at what you don't know about precision rifle shooting.
Re: Basic questions for the advanced shooters
I want the best accuracy I can get. I want to keep it dead on around 150 yards and I mean dead on. I'm a stable shooter but I want it to be hitting the same quarter size spot time after time. Need killer accuracy with trusted reliability since it will be my field gun also. If barrels will keep it truer than stock the I will get a barrel, same goes for any other components
I want the best accuracy I can get. I want to keep it dead on around 150 yards and I mean dead on. I'm a stable shooter but I want it to be hitting the same quarter size spot time after time. Need killer accuracy with trusted reliability since it will be my field gun also. If barrels will keep it truer than stock the I will get a barrel, same goes for any other components
Re: Basic questions for the advanced shooters
Just a basic bench rest now.
Just a basic bench rest now.
Re: Basic questions for the advanced shooters
Reloading
Buying match ammo is expensive
Reloading
Buying match ammo is expensive
Re: Basic questions for the advanced shooters
No shit ! Then try working up a load on a hit&miss option !!?? How about buying FGMMM AS PRACTICE thewn loadinf to what it produces ???
No shit ! Then try working up a load on a hit&miss option !!?? How about buying FGMMM AS PRACTICE thewn loadinf to what it produces ???
Re: Basic questions for the advanced shooters
Good luck finding match grade 30-06 ammo. Learn to reload asap, a quarter sized group at 150 is not to difficult to achieve if the ammo matches the rifle. Unless you are going to be shooting multiple strings of shots I wouldn't upgrade to a heavy barrel at this time, but a good bipod and rear bag would be where I would start. The glass you have now will suffice for the range you are wanting to work in, lots of practice with the ammo that shoots the best out of that rifle will achieve your goals. Jeff
Good luck finding match grade 30-06 ammo. Learn to reload asap, a quarter sized group at 150 is not to difficult to achieve if the ammo matches the rifle. Unless you are going to be shooting multiple strings of shots I wouldn't upgrade to a heavy barrel at this time, but a good bipod and rear bag would be where I would start. The glass you have now will suffice for the range you are wanting to work in, lots of practice with the ammo that shoots the best out of that rifle will achieve your goals. Jeff
Re: Basic questions for the advanced shooters
You'll definitely want to get into at least some basic reloading. FGMM 168 is about the best match ammo you can buy, but at ~$40 per box of 20 it's pricey. You can also experiment with Black Hills and HSM to see which one shoots decent enough. HSM is very reasonable, and also gets you Winchester brass which is very good for reloading.
My 110 Savage shoots .4 groups at 100 with FGMM. In the process of working up a load using 208's, and I'm guessing I can do better than the factory match ammo. Mine has the target port action which is stiffer than the 111 open action, but yours should still be a sub-MOA rifle out of the box if you do your part.
Good luck and keep us posted.
You'll definitely want to get into at least some basic reloading. FGMM 168 is about the best match ammo you can buy, but at ~$40 per box of 20 it's pricey. You can also experiment with Black Hills and HSM to see which one shoots decent enough. HSM is very reasonable, and also gets you Winchester brass which is very good for reloading.
My 110 Savage shoots .4 groups at 100 with FGMM. In the process of working up a load using 208's, and I'm guessing I can do better than the factory match ammo. Mine has the target port action which is stiffer than the 111 open action, but yours should still be a sub-MOA rifle out of the box if you do your part.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Re: Basic questions for the advanced shooters
all of these responses are full of good information.....here's a couple of things i would do if i were handed your rifle:
1) make sure the barrel is free floating, whether you have to sand the channel down or replace the stock with a B&C, you don't want anything touching the barrel from the action forward.
2) a solid action helps a rifle repeat....look into pillar bedding and glass bedding if you have a wood stock.....i think stockys and brownell's have Savage pillar kits....they're easy to install once you've done it a few times, basically just drill out the action screw holes and throw in some epoxy.....but if you haven't done it, read, read, read before you try....torque the action screws evenly with a torque wrench, i usually set mine at around 5 ft lbs.
3) lighten the trigger......the accutrigger is decent from the factory and is adjustable down to a level that will help your groups out if you haven't messed with it yet.....i like the accutrigger because it's sort of like a two stage setup.....when you put your finger on it and feel the small safety trigger come back to the actual trigger, you know that you should be solid on your target....if you veer off for any reason, stop applying pressure until you are back solid on your target, then continue.....a two stage type trigger is great to learn precision shooting on.
4) if you have cheap walmart rings and bases, throw them out.....look into a solid, tactical type setup.....especially if you are going to be carrying your gun around in the field.....EGW 1-piece base with TSP rings is a very solid setup for not alot of money.....they will be worth every penny when shot next to a rifle that has cheap factory weaver ring/base setup.
5) hold your gun the same way every time.....don't barely hold it one shot, then squeeze it back against your shoulder the next shot.....the key to accuracy is repeatability......do the same thing every time.....let the sound of the gun going off be like a flash from a camera.....take a mental picture of the target every time you hear the bang (before you naturally blink)
6) quality ammo, you gotta pay to play, and most quality ammo isn't cheap......reloading is the way to go for what you want.....but it's alot to learn if you don't have anyone to show you, so until then keep and eye on Federal GMM offerings as well as Black Hills
7) practice repeating your firing routine, even if you have to buy a couple of snap caps and lay in your living room floor focused on a target ten feet away.....do the same thing every time and you'll bring the full potential of the rifle out.
CHEERS
all of these responses are full of good information.....here's a couple of things i would do if i were handed your rifle:
1) make sure the barrel is free floating, whether you have to sand the channel down or replace the stock with a B&C, you don't want anything touching the barrel from the action forward.
2) a solid action helps a rifle repeat....look into pillar bedding and glass bedding if you have a wood stock.....i think stockys and brownell's have Savage pillar kits....they're easy to install once you've done it a few times, basically just drill out the action screw holes and throw in some epoxy.....but if you haven't done it, read, read, read before you try....torque the action screws evenly with a torque wrench, i usually set mine at around 5 ft lbs.
3) lighten the trigger......the accutrigger is decent from the factory and is adjustable down to a level that will help your groups out if you haven't messed with it yet.....i like the accutrigger because it's sort of like a two stage setup.....when you put your finger on it and feel the small safety trigger come back to the actual trigger, you know that you should be solid on your target....if you veer off for any reason, stop applying pressure until you are back solid on your target, then continue.....a two stage type trigger is great to learn precision shooting on.
4) if you have cheap walmart rings and bases, throw them out.....look into a solid, tactical type setup.....especially if you are going to be carrying your gun around in the field.....EGW 1-piece base with TSP rings is a very solid setup for not alot of money.....they will be worth every penny when shot next to a rifle that has cheap factory weaver ring/base setup.
5) hold your gun the same way every time.....don't barely hold it one shot, then squeeze it back against your shoulder the next shot.....the key to accuracy is repeatability......do the same thing every time.....let the sound of the gun going off be like a flash from a camera.....take a mental picture of the target every time you hear the bang (before you naturally blink)
6) quality ammo, you gotta pay to play, and most quality ammo isn't cheap......reloading is the way to go for what you want.....but it's alot to learn if you don't have anyone to show you, so until then keep and eye on Federal GMM offerings as well as Black Hills
7) practice repeating your firing routine, even if you have to buy a couple of snap caps and lay in your living room floor focused on a target ten feet away.....do the same thing every time and you'll bring the full potential of the rifle out.
CHEERS
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